Peshawar: A passenger train, the Jaffar Express, was attacked in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province while traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. The assault was carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group seeking Balochistan’s secession from Pakistan.
The attackers blew up part of the railway track, forcing the train to stop in a mountainous tunnel near the Bolan Pass, close to Sibi city.
They then opened fire on the train, injuring the driver and taking hundreds of passengers hostage.Reports indicate that the train was carrying approximately 400 to 500 passengers, including women, children, and military personnel. The BLA claimed responsibility, asserting they had taken 214 hostages, primarily security personnel, and killed 20 to 30 Pakistani soldiers while also shooting down a drone.
They threatened to execute the hostages if the Pakistani military intervened, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the release of Baloch political prisoners.Pakistani security forces launched a counter-operation, rescuing 104 passengers by March 12, 2025, including 58 men, 31 women, and 15 children, who were moved to safety in Mach.
At least 16 militants were killed, and 17 people were injured during the ongoing operation. The Pakistani military reported that the situation remained active, with efforts continuing to neutralize the remaining attackers. The rugged terrain and tunnel location complicated the rescue efforts.
The BLA released most civilian hostages but continued to hold military personnel, according to their statements. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, vowing no concessions to the militants.
The incident highlights the escalating insurgency in Balochistan, a mineral-rich region bordering Afghanistan and Iran, where the BLA has intensified attacks in recent years, often targeting government and military assets.
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